Chapter 76:
Makenna’s POV:
I stood there, stunned by the maid’s bold accusation.
My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. Before I could gather my thoughts, the maid pressed on, sensing my hesitation as a sign of guilt.
“I was the one responsible for the dress,” she claimed, her voice rising with each word. “The dress she’s wearing isn’t the one I prepared for her. And she hasn’t been in the palace long enough to have such a fine garment. She must have stolen it from a noblewoman!”
Her words seemed to feed Leonardo’s anger. His voice was icy as he demanded, “You, of all people! Do you have any witnesses?”
At that moment, Hayley stepped forward, her expression a mask of confusion, though I could see the malice lurking beneath. “Your Majesty, I don’t understand what’s happening, but the dress I gave Makenna isn’t the one she’s wearing now.”
Her statement confirmed the maid’s story, stirring a murmur of disapproval among the guests.
Leonardo’s fury intensified, and he snapped at me, “You again! Explain yourself! Where did you steal that dress from?”
Though anger surged within me, I forced myself to remain calm. I needed to think quickly, but before I could respond, a voice that was all too familiar cut through the tension.
“Your Majesty, this woman is my older sister. I know her character well. She’s always been a troublemaker, even as a child, always stealing things. She’s unworthy of bearing the princes’ children.”
I turned in disbelief to find Jessica, standing beside Frank, both of them smirking with satisfaction.
Their presence at the banquet was unexpected, but then I remembered Jessica’s boastful words the last time we spoke.
Frank had gained Leonardo’s favor, and attending a royal banquet was no longer beyond their reach.
Lатєst ϲhαptєrs ιn g𝒶l𝑛οvєl𝑠.ｃοｍ
Jessica’s accusation only fueled the crowd’s suspicions. I could hear the disdainful whispers surrounding me.
“She’s pretty, but she’s a thief.”
“Such a lowly background, no wonder she’s done something like this.”
Alice, her temper flaring, looked ready to strike them. “Stop spouting nonsense!” she shouted, her fists clenched.
I quickly grabbed her arm, urging her to stay calm. A fight would only make things worse.
Coldly, I scanned the onlookers and then addressed Leonardo, my voice steady. “Your Majesty, I did not steal this dress.”
Before Leonardo could respond, Hayley feigned concern, her tone laced with false kindness. “Makenna, we all want to believe you, but can you tell us where your dress came from?”
Ignoring her gloating smile, I replied, “If anyone is to blame, it should be this maid. She was careless when taking my measurements, resulting in a dress that was too large and torn.”
“That still doesn’t give you the right to steal a dress!” Hayley shot back, her voice rising, clearly hoping for my condemnation.
I glared at her, my mind piecing together the situation. It was now clear that they had meticulously planned this trap.
If I had worn the damaged dress to the banquet, I would have been humiliated as they intended. But by showing up in a repaired and beautiful gown, they shifted their attack, branding me a thief.
They had indeed planned well.
Leonardo’s face darkened further at Hayley’s words, and he barked, “Guards! Take this thief away!”
But I stood my ground, my voice firm as I spoke. “Your Majesty, even the accused have the right to defend themselves.”
The hall quieted as I continued, neither too humbly nor too arrogantly, “I did not steal this dress. I modified the original one myself, sewing each pattern with my own hands.”
My claim only deepened the crowd’s doubts, and even Leonardo looked incredulous. “The patterns are so intricate. How could you have sewn them? Were you a tailor before you came to the palace?”
“Your Majesty,” Alice interjected, stepping forward with excitement. “Makenna did repair the dress herself! She asked me to find the threads and needles.”
Despite Alice’s support, Leonardo remained skeptical. But I kept my composure and added, “To prove this dress is my work, I embroidered my name into the floral patterns. It’s small and can only be seen upon close inspection. If you doubt me, Your Majesty, you can have someone examine the dress.”
Still, he waved the maid over.
She approached me, and I guided her to the spot where my name was hidden within the embroidery. After careful inspection, she looked up and reported to Leonardo. “Your Majesty, her name is indeed embroidered on the pattern.”
